[bjbeach]

Removed the engine (65K km on it) last Friday to do some work over the winter. Planning on doing cam chain and tensioner, mechanical seal, stator and probably electric fan conversion and maybe Mac 2 into 1 exhaust.



First problem encountered - the hex socket screws that hold the water pipe to the engine won't come off with an allen key. They seem to be pretty well seized up. Any suggestions for removing these screws? Is there a better tool?

 

[Blindstitch]

Allen socket. But first put the socket in there and give it a square hit on the back. Not hard just a bit to rattle it. Then it should come free. They make impact drivers but that might be to much.

 

[Horton]

I would put some type of thread ezz on it a couple time a day for 4-5 day, and use a hand impact driver real easy, just tap it. Slow but sure! Good luck. P.S. I think there was a thread about the best penetration oil some place on this site.

 

[SamsGL650]

Sounds like the internal "hex" of the allen screws is chewed up. Maybe after letting PB Blaster or similar "loosen" things up,- can you then grab and torque them off with a vise grip?-- You will want to replace them, anyway, upon removal. Careful with the impact driven around the water pipes,- I don't thing anything bad can happen, but its a little tougher, and costly, to find and replace it, rather than just the allen fasteners.

Good luck

 

[Cobram]

,- can you then grab and torque them off with a vise grip?

Not possible, they're recessed. You'd have to destroy the bracket to do that.



What blstch said, give the hex a good rap, a hex bit on an impact driver makes short work of it.

 

[bjbeach]

Not possible, they're recessed. You'd have to destroy the bracket to do that.



What blstch said, give the hex a good rap, a hex bit on an impact driver makes short work of it.

Thanks. I have an impact driver. I'll look for the right size hex bit and give it a try.

I'm sure there will be more questions as I get into this project. This is a great place for help.

 

[Shep]

Get some heat on them after soaking with penetrating oil.

The best rust release I've used is home-made using 50/50 Acetone+Brake fluid.



HTH

 

[DavidfromWisconsin]

You can also drill the allen head out until the the head comes off. Then lift off the caps that hold the pipe in place and take the pipe off.



You are them left with bolts sticking out of the block that can then be covered with penetrating oil and grabbed with vice grips to turn out the bolts.



Heat can be applied to these exposed bolts too, that can help loosen everything up.



This is one way should work for you ... Let's hear other ideas.

 

[Blue Fox]

I second the use of a penetrating oil. I read that a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone was much better than PB Blaster. I haven't tried it yet, but the test numbers showed it best. Also, if you can add a bit of heat while you are soaking it, that makes things cooperate much better. A small micro torch is perfect for this. Just hold the flame on the head for 30 seconds or so, then spritz it a bit and wait a minute. A few light taps on the head may also help.

 

[Shep]

I second the use of a penetrating oil. I read that a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone was much better than PB Blaster. I haven't tried it yet, but the test numbers showed it best. Also, if you can add a bit of heat while you are soaking it, that makes things cooperate much better. A small micro torch is perfect for this. Just hold the flame on the head for 30 seconds or so, then spritz it a bit and wait a minute. A few light taps on the head may also help.

I didn't have any ATF so just tried some old Brake fluid(I keep it for paint stripping small parts and liquid de-cokes) with some Acetone.Works great

I also bought one of these,



http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Giant-Butan...913?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23095c2069



Absolute must have for the toolbox.Very hot but superbly directional and of course refillable.Used it today as I had to replace a worn Exhaust down pipe stud on one of me CX.

 

[DaveF]

By far the best penetrating oil I've found is Kroil from Kano Labs. This stuff is amazing - PB Blaster and others I've tried don't even come close.



I have not seen it for sale in stores, although it can be purchased direct from the manufacturer. A few mail order places sell it - a Google search for Kroil will locate them.

Disclosure: I have no interest in the company other than as a happy customer.

 

[Blue Fox]

I second the micro torch. I don't have that exact one, I've a HF $6 one. But they are as handy as a pocket on a shirt. I use mine every couple of days.



For all the wives, girlfriends, and relatives, this will make a perfect Christmas gift. Just print out the E-bay ad and leave it lay where people can see it. Maybe write something like: "I sure would like this for Christmas" on the ad too. Some of my relatives are sorta dense. If you aren't worth $10 to someone, find someone else to bother.

 

[Shep]

The home mix beats Kroil,



http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?64726-Nut-Buster-Homemade



+10 for the Xmas gift of the Butane lighters

 

[marshallf3]

Sorry, but nothing beats Kroil and it is becoming available locally. Try a major HVAC vendor or just call around and in time you may find it. $16 for 12 oz aerosol may sound high but a can will last you forever. I've got most of a gallon of the stuff in bulk out in the garage.



Shep hits the nail on the head. Even if you're in a situation where a torch isn't proper any old pipe fitter will tell you that the process of carefully heating an area in any way possible will allow the rust to break free. Rust depends on water, suck even a small amount of that away and the bond weakens greatly.

 

[Shep]

*Penetrating oil ..... Average load*



None ...................... 516 pounds



WD-40 ................... 238 pounds



PB Blaster ............... 214 pounds



Liquid Wrench ......... 127 pounds



Kano Kroil .............. 106 pounds



ATF-Acetone mix.......53 pounds

 

[DaveF]

The ATF/acetone mix certainly has good numbers according to this data. I'd like to learn more. Do you have a link to the complete original test report?

 

[bandit]

after using the best penetrating product and applying loads of heat.......youl still have to drill the heads off.

recessed allen key socket will distort

 

[Shep]

The ATF/acetone mix certainly has good numbers according to this data. I'd like to learn more. Do you have a link to the complete original test report?

I did but you can do some research Sherlock<grin>

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?64726-Nut-Buster-Homemade



http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59360



Seems it was originally done by a Machinist's Magazine.

 

[bjbeach]

after using the best penetrating product and applying loads of heat.......youl still have to drill the heads off.

recessed allen key socket will distort

I will try the pentrating oil, impact driver and micro-torch (just bought one). If these fail the drill comes out.

Will let you know the results after the weekend. Thanks for the help.

 

[marshallf3]

Kano Kroil .............. 106 pounds



ATF-Acetone mix.......53 pounds



Kroil doesn't eat paint. Interesting though.